10 Photos that Justify Washington as the Most Instagrammable State in America

10 Photos that Justify Washington as the Most Instagrammable State in America

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Ten years ago, you’d plan your next vacation by browsing through tour books. You’d purchase a map at a gas station or follow highway signs for a spontaneous road trip. If you don’t know which places to visit in Washington State, your answer might come in the form of Instagram.

Named after the U.S. President, the Evergreen State is home to some of my closest friends. PHD student Nathan D. Iverson describes it as follows:

Fiercely clothed with rainforests, mountain ranges, volcanoes, and rugged coastline, Washington State’s beauty has long been a draw for creative personalities. Importing talent from around the world, the region has often been known for its influential ideas and innovative products. The residents of this state continue to shape the perspectives of our nation through photography, specifically in the 1 x 1 ratio. Whether it is their proximity to natural beauty or the unique attitude found in those who choose to call it home, WA photographers are producing some of the most anticipated and celebrated images on social media today.

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Washington State, consider these locations based on the experts who know the terrain best!

My favorite place to travel to is the northwest coast of the state, on the Olympic Peninsula. The entire Olympic National Park is huge, and I love venturing out there for weekend getaways. The diversity of environments all in one area is incredible — with rain forests, glaciers, mountains, and the rugged Pacific coastline, there’s a bit of everything. There’s something about its remoteness and untouched, rugged beauty that makes it so unique.

It’s so difficult to pick a favorite place in Washington because the whole State is amazing and full of diversity, but if I had to pick just one, I would say Mt. Rainier National Park. I can see it from my front porch, and it’s my favorite place to explore. I have been hiking and exploring there since I was a child, and I always experience something new whenever I visit.

My favorite place in Washington right now is Blanca Lake, which I hiked for the first time two weekends ago. Located in the Cascade Mountains, the lake is a brilliant turquoise in color and sits in a basin surrounded by glacier peaks. It is beyond breathtaking!

One of the most surprising parts of Washington is that my favorite place keeps on changing after each adventure! Mount Rainier, Mountain Loop Highway, and Mount Baker have all been on the list. A recent favorite memory for me was Upper Base Camp on Easton glacier as smoke rose up from the volcano behind me, the sun went down, and pieces of ice crashed into the waterfall thousands of feet beneath us in the valley below.